With their backs against the wall once again, the New York Knicks rallied to seize a commanding 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals, defeating the Boston Celtics 121-113 in Game 4 Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
“They hit us early, but I love the way we fought back,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “We showed a lot of toughness and more discipline in the second half.”
The Knicks overcame a 14-point third-quarter deficit, sparked by a pivotal 9-0 run. The second half turned into a thrilling duel between All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Jayson Tatum, each delivering highlight-reel plays in a tightly contested battle.
Brunson dominated the third quarter, scoring 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. The NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year ultimately finished with 39 points, 12 assists, and several crucial shots late in the game to help seal the win.
Tatum delivered an impressive 42-point performance, but his night ended in heartbreak. He suffered a non-contact leg injury in the closing minutes and had to be helped off the court in a wheelchair, a potentially devastating blow for Boston with Game 5 looming.
New York entered the final period leading 88-85 — their first lead since a brief edge late in the first quarter. They never looked back.
Clutch plays came from across the Knicks’ lineup. Karl-Anthony Towns posted a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double, shooting 71% from the field. Mikal Bridges added 21 points, three steals, and a block. OG Anunoby hit six of his 12 three-point attempts and was a defensive anchor throughout the night.
“OG gave us a huge game, and Jalen, of course, made timely shot after timely shot,” Thibodeau said. “Mitchell Robinson gave us big minutes, KAT gave us really good minutes, and Deuce helped push the pace, which really benefited us.”
Boston saw strong contributions from Derrick White and Jaylen Brown, who supported Tatum’s offensive explosion. White scored 23 points while playing stifling defense, and Brown chipped in 18 points, including four three-pointers on six attempts.
The Knicks took their largest lead of the night when Bridges drilled a fadeaway jumper as the shot clock expired, putting New York up 111-104 with just over three minutes remaining.
“We always say we’ve got the best fans in the world,” Thibodeau added. “We’ve got to make sure we give them something to cheer for.”
This is the type of team the Knicks envisioned when they acquired Towns and Bridges last offseason — and now, they’re one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
Game 5 is set for Wednesday night in Boston. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. A Knicks win will punch their ticket to the next round.
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